San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1887-02-24

sured fact of having the best pro-
tected inland harbor on the Pacific
coast, our bright farseeing prophets
are beginning to estimate our popu-
lation and wealth in the next decade
equal to that of San Francisco, but l
must say I fear these extraordinary
predictions are delusive and should
be taken with degree of allowance,
sufficient to cover all contingencies.
The vintage of this vicinity last
season was abundant. Many claim
from $500 to $500 per acre income
from the raisin grape, the latter fig
ures where the producer dried and
packed his crop ready for market,
which is very simple process. Wo-
men and children being employed
exclusively in drying and packing
fruit for market, at remunerative
prices.
The wine grape is not considered
so profitable per acre, the vintage
being much less trouble, larger
acreage can be cultivated, netting rs
much to the vineyardist perhaps as
the raisin grape. The wine maker,
a sort of monopolist in his business,
enjoys, it is said, the greatest profit
of any one who handles the grape
extensively. His cellars filled with
old wines of the different brands,
improve in quality and price with
age, thus making the old wine dealer
richer year after year rs time rolls
on, fortifying him to q great extent,
for several years against successful
competition from new winery, while
the new have to be cellared several
years to compete with the old. The
business as now carried on requires
large capital and but few are engaged
in it. The deciduous fruit crop was
almost O failure here last season.
Apples are now being shipped from
the east to supply this market, and
are necessarily high. The citrus
crop is q good average and oranges
are now beginning to ripen. Several
trains loads haying been sent forward
to Chicago during the last few days
at $500 per car, fast freight. Have
heard of sales being made on the
trees at $3.50 per acre for seedlings,
finer varieties, such as Washington
Novels and Mediterranean Sweets
are worth about twice as much. An
orchard of these fine varieties 10 or
13 years old, well cared for will yield
from $500 to $1,000 per acre. Or
ange culture is II beautiful business,
but like many other beautiful and
bewildering objects, is attended with
great care and often much trouble.
The lemon and lime seem to be but a
small item of commerce here, are al
ways abundant by retail in this mar
ket, in season, but shipments east
are very insi gnificant compared t.
the orange crop. The olive industry
of the Pacific coast, is rapidly grow
ing into importance. Many who
planted experimentally ten years ago
are now reaping rich harvest an
nually from the fruit. They are used
as q pickle by many, considered
healthy and good appetizer, are
made profitable for making olive oil
which is q remunerative business.
None extensively engaged in on the
coast, will soon supply the home
market entirely with the best olive
oil and cut off further importation.
Fig culture is becoming interesting
here, there are several large crys-
talizing and fruit candy factories,
which cannot be supplied by the fig
products of the country. The cut
tings of the white fig of commerce
are now being imported from Smyrna,
being of greater commercial value
will take the place of the black fig
heretofore cultivated, 1 nm impress
ed with the idea that the cultivation
of the white fig will become leading
industry and profitable in this coun-
try. Fig trees begin to bear IS
months after planting and continue
to increase in size and bearing ca
pacity for a half century, are not
subject to insect pests like the orange
and many other kinds of fruit trees
in this country. The crop can be
gathered at leisure, dried, canned or
crystaIized for market, are in de-
mand at $50 per ton for white figs.
At this rate the crop from 10 year
old trees is worth about S400 per
acre.
see from statistical reports OF the
products Of California in 1856.
Raisins, 10000 H; French Drunes,
100000 IL; oranges, 100000 boxes;
wool, 47,225,OO0 h; canned salmon,
$4,000 canes; wheat, l,1O0,O0O tons
These are the leading products Of
the State, though there are many
other articles OF nearly equal import
ance not mentioned. and show the di-
versity and magnitude Of the pro
ducts Of this country. The rapid
growth Of this State is largely due 10
The diversity Of the agricultural in
terests, bringing in moneyat al times
Of the year 10 meet cuueDt eKpensess